Growli

Overwintering guide

How to overwinter calathea zebrina starter

Verdict
Bring indoors
When
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
Hardiness
Calathea Zebrina Starter is hardy to roughly USDA zone 11 — winter lows around 4°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside.

Winter watering

Cut watering right back — calathea zebrina starter uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.

The mistake that kills calathea zebrina starter in winter

Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and calathea zebrina starter rots from the base.

More calathea zebrina starter care

Overwintering calathea zebrina starter — FAQ

Does calathea zebrina starter need to come indoors for winter?

Calathea Zebrina Starter is hardy to roughly USDA zone 11 — winter lows around 4°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Calathea Zebrina Starter is frost-tender, so overwintering means bringing it inside and letting it rest rather than pushing it to grow. Move it indoors well before the first frost, give it the brightest spot you have (light levels indoors drop sharply in winter), and keep it away from both cold window glass and hot radiators — the swing between the two does more damage than the cold itself.

When should I move calathea zebrina starter for winter?

Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.

How often should I water calathea zebrina starter in winter?

Cut watering right back — calathea zebrina starter uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.

What kills calathea zebrina starter over winter?

Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and calathea zebrina starter rots from the base.